Pump-valve assembly



Feb :114, 192B,

T. C. WHITEHEAD ET AL PUMP VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed July 6. 1926 K ,OM

Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,659,343 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. WHITEHEAD AND FRED J'. HEIDEMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN; SAIDHEIDEMAN ASSIGNOR T SAID WHIIEHEAD.

PUMP-VALVE ASSEMBLY.

i Application filed July 6, 1926. Serial No. 120,709.

rlfhis invention relates generally to pump valve assemblies,particularly designed for refrigerating apparatus, and consists ofcertain novel features o-f construction, combinations and arrangementsof parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a pump embodying ourinvention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view i taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a slightly modifiedform of follower. f

Referring now to the drawing, 1 is a pump cylinder in which the gas isadapted to be compressed, 2 is a plate having a series of openings 3arranged in a circle and constitut-ing outlet ports for the cylinder,and 4 is a detachable head having a central exhaust passage 5 for thecompressed gas. As shown, the plate 2 has an annular recess 6 in itsupper face and is preferably provided between the openings 3 and theupstanding walls 7 ofthe recess with a rounded ridge or bead 8 thatserves as a bearing or seat for a metal wafer valve 9. Preferably thebase 10 of the recess 6 is flat and is lower than the ridge 8 whichsurrounds the openings 3.

'llo provide an efficient construction the valve 9 is preferably formedfrom light gauge-sheet metal and is substantially equa] in area to thearea of the recess 6. Normally the central portion 11 of this valve isyieldably held upon the flat base 10 of the recess so that the marginalportions 12 will be seated firmly but will be free to movey upwardlyfrom the ridge or bead 8. This is accomplished by providing an invertedsubstantially T-shaped follower 13 that is pressed against the valve 9by a relatively heavy co-il spring 14. As shown, the base 15 of thefollower is circular in form andis centered in the recess 6. Preferablythe lower face of the base 10 inclines upwardly from its center to theedge portions 17 which in turn are preferably rounded as shown to permitthe marginal portions of the valve to flex gradually when unseated bythe compressed gas. Preferably the coil spring 14 is sleeved upon theupstanding arm 18 yof the followerand engages the base 19 of a recess 2Oin the cylinder head 4. As shown annular shoulder 24 provided betweenthe v frusto-conical and annular portions 21 an 22 respectively of therecess 20.

In Figure 4, we have shown a slightly modified form of follower 30. Withthis construction, the base 31 of the follower is provided adjacent tothe peripherally rounded edge portions 32 thereof, with a rounded ridgeor bead 33 that engages the valve 9 adjacent to the openings 3.

In use, the gas in the cylinder l will be forcedupwardly by a suitablepiston Snot shown) through the openings'3 in the p ate 2, and afterunseating the marginal portions 12 of the valve, will flow upwardlythrough the recess and out through the passage 5 in the cylinder head.Inasmuch as the area of the valve 9 and follower 13 or 30 is relativelylarge, it will be apparent that less resistance is set up and as aresult only one spring is required. Moreover the openings 3 will breakup the compressed gas into smaller particles which will pass by thevalve 9 without creating objectionable noise. It will also be noted thatthe ridge or bead 8 provides a line contact for the valve which isparticularly desirable when the same portion of the valve can seat uponthe same line at all times. Inasmuch as the base 11 of the recess islower than the ridge 8 it will also be apparent that the marginalportions of the valve will have a tendency to seat firmly upon the ridgewhen the follower is seated upon the Vcentral portion of the valve.Furthermore the rounded edge portions of the base 10 not only permit themarginal portions of the valve to fiex gradually when unseated, but alsoacts as a stop to limit such eXing of the valve. Aside from thesefeatures the construction set forth vherein comprises relatively fewparts and therefore can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Vhileit is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature andadvantage of our invention will be readily apparent, we desire to haveit understood that we do not limit ourselves to what is herein shown anddescribed and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fallwithin the scope of what is claimed.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A valve assembly comprising a plate having an annular recess in itsupper face and openings arranged in a circle in the base of sai-d recessadjacent to the walls thereof, a flexible disk valve in said recesshaving marginal portions for controlling the fiow of fluid through saidopenings, yieldable means normally 'retaining said valve in ridge, adisk valve in said v marginal portions said recess, and a ridge on thebase of said recess normally retaining the marginal portions of saidvalve in elevated position with respect to the central portion of saidvalve.

2. A valve assembly comprisin a plate' having a recess therein, a. ridgea jacent to the side wall of said recess` and a series of openings arraned in a circle of the base of said recess, sai base being lower thansaid recess, and a spring pressed follower normally holding the centralportion of said disk valve against the base of said recess in a flexedcondition so that the marginal portions of sai-d valve will firml seatupon said ridge.

3. 'A valve assembly comprising a member having a fluid passagewaytherethrough and aving a raised annular seat surrounding saidpassageway, a disk valve having its seated upon said annular seat andmeans for resiliently holding the inner portion of said valve diskagainst said member thereby maintaining the disk in a vflexed con-ditionwith its marginal portions valve disk against said member therebynormall)1 maintainingthe disk in a flexed condition, said member havingan annular series of fluid passageways therethrough adjacent said seatand arranged Within the area bounded by said annular seat.

5. A valve assembly comprising a plate having a plane surface and havingan annular ridge surrounding said plane surface, said plate also havinga series of openings therein extending through said plane surface withinthe area bounded by said annular ridge, a flexible disk valve for controlling the passage of the fluid through said openings, having marginalportions resting upon said annular ridge and yieldable means pressingthe central portion of said valve disk against said plane surfacethereby normally maintaining said disk valve in a flexed condition Withthe marginal portions there of held against said ridge and free tobecome unseated upon further flexing thereof.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

, THOMAS C. WHITEHEAD.

FRED J. HEIDEMAN.

